Responsible gambling
Responsible gambling is about managing playing habits and making informed decisions when placing bets. Learn how to gamble responsibly and where to find help with gambling addiction here.
What is responsible gambling?
The key to responsible gambling is control. Always decide how much you’re willing to part with and how frequently you want to bet before placing real money wagers. Doing so will help you remain in control of your gambling habits and maximise the fun at online casinos and land-based venues.
Gambling addiction can have a destructive impact on all areas of your life and trigger symptons that cause you to feel a sense of anxiety or hopelessness. Our experts have highlighted the tell-tale signs of problem gambling and where to go for help below.
How to recognise problem gambling
Symptoms of problem gambling include gambling excessively despite harmful consequences and loss of control. You might find yourself chasing losses, borrowing money to gamble with or struggling to resist the urge to gamble.
Here are some typical behaviour and emotional signs to look out for if you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one having or developing a gambling problem:
Lying about how much money you have spent on gambling
Constantly thinking or speaking about gambling
Resorting to using your life savings or inheritance to place bets
Chasing losses, no matter how big or small they are
Spending more time gambling than initially planned
Becoming withdrawn from others to spend time gambling instead
You get angry, frustrated, or disheartened when gambling online
You borrow money or illegally obtain money to fund your gambling
Missing work or events to gamble
Where to get help for problem gambling
If you recognise any of these signs and believe that you or someone you know needs help with problem gambling, there are some steps you can take.
Realising you have a problem is a massive first step towards changing your gambling behaviour. You should speak to a loved one or a close friend and ask for their support. Opening up and talking about your gambling problem can feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders and can help you seek support going forward.
After talking to someone you know, contact a professional service such as the Problem Gambling Foundation NZ for confidential advice and support. Below, we’ve provided details of problem gambling solutions in New Zealand and how to get in touch:
| Resource | Phone | Email/Text |
|---|---|---|
| 0800 664 262 | [email protected] | |
| 0800 654 655 | 8006 | |
| 0800 53 00 00 | - | |
| 0800 862 342 | [email protected] |
Self-exclusion and blocking tools
If you’re struggling with your gambling habits, you could install a self-inclusion or blocking tool on your device. Once activated, these tools make it difficult to access online casinos and sportsbooks. Here are some blocking tools available in New Zealand:
Gamban
Gamban blocks all gambling sites and apps from around the world. You can activate it on your computer, smartphone, and tablet and, with just one licence, prevent yourself from accessing gambling sites. The yearly subscription costs $4.34 per month or $50 for a one-time annual payment.
GamBlock
One of the best things about GamBlock is that it can’t be removed once installed, making it a great option if you’re worried about giving in to temptation. An annual subscription starts at $142 for each device.
BetFilter
Another good self-exclusion tool is BetFilter, which allows you to block apps, websites and servers across all your devices. In New Zealand, the yearly subscription costs $117 per device.
Protect minors & prevent underage gambling
In New Zealand, the legal gambling age is 18 years or older at online casinos and 20 for brick-and-mortar casinos. Whether you’re a parent or a carer, you are responsible for preventing underage gambling.
To protect minors, never allow your children to play online casino games and always avoid playing in front of them. Here are some other steps you can take to protect children from the dangers of problem gambling:
Never play online casino games or place sports bets in front of your children
Don’t allow your device to autofill your login credentials at a betting site
Monitor your children’s online activity and check their history
Educate your children about the dangers of gambling
Teach them the importance of being financially responsible
How online casinos can protect you
Real money online casinos in New Zealand are accountable for facilitating responsible gambling and minimising harm caused by addiction as outlined in the Gambling Act 2003. Reputable sites provide various tools to help you stay in control and manage your bankroll.
You can set time and deposit limits on your account to monitor your spending and decrease the time you spend gambling online. You can also take advantage of cooling-off periods and self-exclusion limits at many sites, which allows you to take a break from gambling. These tools are beneficial if you’re struggling to avoid a particular online casino.
Responsible gambling FAQs
To gamble responsibly, you must control how much time and money you spend at online casinos and sportsbooks. As mentioned above, you can manage your bankroll and use various tools to help.
Problem gambling happens when you can no longer control your impulse to gamble despite negative consequences. It’s a type of gambling that interferes with your daily life and can cause you and those around you to suffer.
You can spot the signs of addiction by understanding typical behavioural, emotional and spending habits associated with problem gambling. View our checklist above for the most common signs of gambling addiction.
If you have a gambling problem, you should confide in a family member or close friend and seek help from a professional service like the Gambling Helpline.
For gambling support, you can contact the Problem Gambling Foundation or Safer Gambling organisation in New Zealand.
